A B.C. father has been charged with second-degree murder after the bodies of his two young daughters and wife were discovered in a Kelowna home.
Jacob Daniel Forman, who is in his 30s, has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder in connection with the case. He appeared in court Thursday to face the charges.
CTV Vancouver reports that his wife, Clara Forman, and two daughters, Karina and Yesenia, have been identified as the victims.
Officers in Kelowna made the gruesome discovery Tuesday after being called to the home. Court documents suggest that the deaths occurred on Sunday.
The suspect’s lawyer, Glenn Verdurmen, addressed the charges outside a B.C. courthouse Thursday.
“Obviously he’s facing the worst possible thing he could be facing at this point in time,” Verdurmen told CTV Vancouver. “I can’t really speak for him, but he’s obviously holding up in court today, and I’m able to take instructions from him.”
CTV Vancouver reports that the couple met and got married in Mexico, where Jacob Forman was training to become a pastor at the time. The couple moved to Kelowna about 10 years ago, and Clara became a fitness instructor. Forman is a supervisor for a plumbing company.
Family videos posted online show the suspect playing with his daughters. In one video, he is seen holding a cake and celebrating his daughter Karina’s birthday when she was a baby.
Police have not officially confirmed the identities of the three victims, and have only said that they are investigating the deaths as suspicious.
A memorial has been assembled at property, with neighbours placing flowers and stuffed animals outside the house.
“It’s terrible at this time of year. With kids involved, it’s just heart-wrenching actually,” said Kelowna resident Jeff McLeod.
Jacob Forman’s lawyer said he needs time to talk to his client before determining how he will respond to the charges.
With files from CTV Vancouver
